House Rules
More like guidelines, practices, and customs.
General Thoughts
I’m just another human sharing thoughts, experiences, and ideas on the internet.
I consider my writing a bit of a buffet approach. Not everything is going to appeal to everyone. Maybe try something and if it’s not for you that’s totally cool. As I’ll cover a wide range of topics I don’t expect everything to be for everyone.
I don’t have a content schedule or any plan. Most posts are as I think of them. While at times I may match a birthday, anniversary, or other occasion most of the order of things is random.
If I quote from a religious text it should be considered as part of literature and with no implication of divinity or supernatural inspiration. There are certainly elements in most religious texts that resonate with me similar to other literature.
Spelling of God: I consider God, with upper case “g” the proper name of the mythological being worshipped by Abraham and his descendants. For generic reference to deities I’ll use the lower case god(s).
I think Montaigne best sums up my approach, “All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.”
I extend a certain level of respect to all human beings and adjust based on how others treat others, especially those perceived as weaker. I don’t give respect based on titles, positions, and other arbitrary criteria.
Considering that, it includes that just because one is a member of the clergy, government, or some other position, it doesn’t entitle them to additional respect beyond that of any other human living lawfully.
When I speak of rights to information and censorship I’m speaking of legal adults. I respect parents rights to control content for their children. What I oppose is government, religion, or other authoritarian structures controlling it.
I’m an adult, writing for other adults and my language may reflect that.
Sharing a quote from someone doesn’t imply that I concur with everything they’ve said. They may repulse me but they make a valid point.
Those from previous generations shouldn’t be judged by a standard that developed after their death.
There’s a difference between someone who said something offensive and one who is only famous for being offensive.
Comments Policy
I intend to have public comments open on most posts and am open for discussion on ideas.
I’m fine with people disagreeing with me but will not tolerate straight personal attacks.
I’m interested in personal opinions, not the regurgitation of things from clergy, influencers, and other so-called authorities. Someone saying it doesn’t make it true or accurate.
If you're going to reference Marxism, Communism, Socialist, or any other term that has no universal meaning anymore please be prepared to define it and let us know what you've studied on the topic.
I understand that some people have a need for privacy but if writing behind an avatar and pseudonym I may not give your comment the same credibility as someone who puts their face behind their message.
Acknowledge what we can and can’t know with any level of certainty.
I don’t engage in debates on the use of fallacies, eponymous laws, or other tools that people use without fully understanding them and their purpose.
The beauty of Substack is I’m not silencing anyone, you’ve got your own space to write, I’m exercising my right to ignore you.
On pieces relating to my experience in Afghanistan, I do have mental health issues from that experience and I may need to disengage from the conversation suddenly.
If you mention certain terms or reference people as authorities I won’t take you too seriously. If the book isn’t true to me, the experts of the book don’t have any authority over my thoughts.
Generative AI Usage
I currently use no form of generative AI for any of my writing or the images associated.
Images are either stock photography or ones I personally create using design software. I may utilize font and style recommendations but am starting from my own design.
I do use at times the images automatically generated by Substack for post promotion.
If I do utilize generative AI it will likely be for research or experimentation purposes and will be clearly disclosed as such.
Some Related Quotes
“No rational argument will have a rational effect on a man who does not want to adopt a rational attitude.” —Karl Popper
"The individual citizen becomes a parrot, repeating ready-made slogans and propaganda catchwords without understanding what they really mean, or what forces stand behind them." —Joost A.M. Meerloo, M.D. The Rape of the Mind
"The smartest people you'll ever meet are the ones that don't act like they know much. It's a dead giveaway that you're dealing with a dumbass when a guy thinks he knows everything." —R.B. Sparkman
“There are people who seem continually engaged in an effort of self-proselytizing. To whomever they may talk or write it is to themselves they are talking or writing. They are continually engaged in talking or writing themselves into a conviction, an enthusiasm or an illusion.” —Eric Hoffer
“Everything was told except the truth, everything believed except the facts”—Robert Green Ingersoll
Updated on July 31, 2025